Hitman jailed for life over Edinburgh Hogmanay pub murder

A hitman who murdered a gangland rival outside an Edinburgh pub on Hogmanay 2023 has been jailed for life.

Grant Hunter, 34, shot Marc Webley at the Anchor Inn in Granton just before midnight on New Year’s Eve two years ago.

Hunter pleaded guilty to murdering Webley and attempting to murder a second man, Stuart Pearson, who was also shot but survived his injuries.

Hunter will serve a minimum of 26 years for the crime but was told he may never be released.

Webley was celebrating with friends when Hunter approached him and another man outside the pub in the north of Edinburgh.

After a brief encounter, Hunter pulled out a gun and shot at both men.

CCTV played in court showed Webley, who was wearing a stab vest at the time, running away.

But he was shot in the back and died from his injuries a short time later.

The other man who was shot, Stuart Pearson, was a friend of Mark Webley’s.

Webley, who was 38, had a history of involvement in gangland violence. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison for attempted murder in 2005.

In the days leading up to his murder, Webley posted on social media daring his rivals to come and get him.

Hunter pleaded guilty to murder and attempted murder in November.

Two others were sentenced alongside Hunter after previously pleading guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Hunter’s former partner, 27-year-old Emma McVie, was given four years and six months in prison after admitting to cleaning the getaway car and the clothes worn by him during the attack.

Gary Robertson, 22, was sentenced to six years and six months for disposing of the gun used in the attack.

Sentencing at the High Court in Glasgow, the judge, Lord Mulholland, said Hunter had fired four shots, showing he wanted Webley dead.

“You shot another man who could have came to his aid which shows further intent,” he said.

CCTV footage of the murder shown in court showed Hunter parking a stolen Hyundai Tucson car outside the pub.

He then got out of the car and pulled down a balaclava he was wearing so Webley could know who he was.

Lord Mulholland said: “It is blatantly sinister that you wanted your victim to see your face, which is an aggravating factor.

“You removed your mask and this was your undoing as the police knew you and people knew you which led to your swift arrest.

“The public are grateful to the police and forensic scientists for bringing you to justice.”

He added: “Gangsterism is not acceptable in a civilised society – this is a civilised society. The public will not put up with this gangsterism and the courts will not put up with it.

“Anyone going to court for carrying out this type of criminality can expect lengthy prison sentences.

“You have left a mother without a son and two boys without a father. Your cowardly actions will haunt you for the rest of your life.”

Moira Orr, procurator fiscal at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), said this was a “targeted shooting” which had been carried out at a time when a lot of people would have been out celebrating.

“This shocking incident cost one man his life and endangered the life of another, who also suffered a gunshot wound,” she said.

“Overall, Hunter’s actions put the lives of the public in serious danger. We want to reassure the public that we are committed to ensuring those involved in committing offences of this nature are brought to justice.

“This conviction should send a strong message to others involved in this kind of criminal behaviour – you cannot hide from justice, and we will use all the tools available to us as we strive to keep the communities we serve safe.”